The world of Australian venues and events remains buoyant with a big step this week for the new Newcastle Arena, a new ticketing partner for Hordern Pavilion, more Sydney councils moving forward with special entertainment precincts, a membership model for a Queensland club as a survival tactic, and a new winter music festival proposed for Hobart.
Hordern Pavilion Signs With AXS
Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion signed advanced ticketing and live event technology firm AXS as its Official Ticketing Partner, effective August 10. The venue now gets a slew of fan friendly ticket technology including AXS Mobile ID, mobile ticket management, data and analytics tools, integrated marketing capabilities and premium customer support.
"The Hordern Pavilion has always evolved with the live entertainment industry while staying true to what makes it special," said Michael Nebenzahl, CEO, Playbill Venues.
"Partnering with AXS is our next, natural step in that evolution. Their technology and global experience, combined with a genuine focus on fans and our promoter partners, made them the right fit for The Hordern, and we're excited to work together."
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"The Hordern Pavilion has played an iconic role in Australia's live entertainment landscape for generations," added Andrew Travis, CEO, AXS Australia & New Zealand.
"We're incredibly excited to welcome The Hordern to the AXS family. It's an honour to partner with such an iconic venue and bring our fan-first technology to support its continued success while delivering great fan experiences."
AXS, which has worked in the Australian market with an Ed Sheeran tour and CMC Rocks, also begins as Official Ticket Provider for Melbourne Park’s venues including Rod Laver Arena.
Entertainment Precinct Trials For Sydney’s King St, Coogee & Randwick
More Sydney areas are proposing to boost up their night time economies by turning them into Special Entertainment Precincts.
This would mean, among other things, extra trading hours for music venues to 4am without a development application, and a boost in the number of new venues showcasing live acts with incentives from the NSW Government on discounts for liquor licence fees.
The City of Sydney and Inner West Council are working jointly on the transformation of King Street in Newtown.
“The Inner West is the beating heart of Sydney’s live music scene and King Street is one of its main arteries,” offered Inner West Deputy Mayor, Chloe Smith. “We want to spread the success of what we’ve done on Enmore Road along the complete length of King Street and breathe life and vibrancy back into this iconic strip.”
Last year Inner West Council added six new entertainment precincts across Balmain, Dulwich Hill, Leichhardt, Marrickville, and Rozelle.
Venues in the eastern suburbs of Coogee and Randwick’s The Spot could also get Special Entertainment Precinct status with trials. A draft plan seeking feedback from residents suggested venues could open to 2am in Coogee and 1am in The Spot.
The trial areas at Coogee and The Spot in Randwick are still in a draft stage when it comes to hours of trade, but a draft plan exhibited to residents proposed hours as late as 2am at the former location and 1am at the latter.
Woollahra Council is investigating an SEP at Double Bay, while Waverley Council is working to establish one at Bondi Junction.
Another Hobart Music & Dining Winter Festival?
Could we see a month-long music and dining festival make its debut in Hobart in 2027 during the quieter months of winter?
Hobart alderman and live music activist Marti Zucco has come up with the proposal, and hopes the City of Hobart will set up a steering committee of reps from government, the hospitality industry, tourism organisations, business associations and the arts sector to be involved in its planning.
Outlining the idea to The Mercury, the festival would stage in three areas – Salamanca, the Hobart waterfront and North Hobart. It would be held in August every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
He told the paper: “It is about backing local businesses, backing local musicians and backing Hobart.
“Hobart has some of Australia’s finest hospitality venues, outstanding local produce and incredibly talented musicians.
“Rather than accepting quieter winter months, we should be creating reasons for people to come into the city.”
Mo’s Desert Clubhouse Presses Button On “Membership Model”
Multi-award winning Mo’s Desert Clubhouse in Burleigh, Queensland, is introducing a membership model to keep revenue rolling in. A membership fee of $13 per month or $130 a year includes show tickets, drinks, and exclusive offers.
Co-owner Kim Ferguson explained to The Gold Coast Bulletin, “Ticket sales and bar sales are down 17 to 20% across the board from the same time last year, while costs such as insurance, rent and power are up 20 to 30% in the past 12 months.
“We’re seeing conditions that are on par with COVID, but if people can get behind this membership option it will significantly impact our ability to trade for this year and help us with the ever-growing overheads of operations.”
One Step Ahead For Newcastle Arena
“Plans are coming together for Newcastle to get a new 12,000 seat indoor arena,” the NSW Government announced this week.
The arena will have up to 160 events a year. During construction 610 jobs will be created, 133 additional jobs for the precinct, and 157 for the NSW region. With the Newcastle Arena’s expected to inject an additional $400 million in economic benefit over the next ten years, driving a near tenfold increase in interstate visitors to events.
The Government also noted: “The current Newcastle Entertainment Centre was originally built 33 years ago, as a temporary structure to operate for only 5 years. The new Newcastle Arena will be relocated next to McDonald Jones Stadium to create a dedicated live sport, entertainment and lifestyle precinct.”
A government spokesperson enthused, “It’s set to bring more major concerts and sport to the city, along with more jobs for the Hunter. It’s also part of the bigger Hunter Regional Plan, which looks at how the region will continue to grow.”
More Seats For UTAS Stadium
The current $130 million redevelopment of UTAS Stadium in Hobart will see an extra capacity to 33,000 for concerts and 17,500 for sporting events.
Jointly funded by the Federal and Tasmanian Governments, with each contributing $65 million, the revamp by Tasmanian construction company Fairbrother is set to be finalised by 2027.
New Entertainment Centre For Port Stephens
After four years of discussions, the Port Stephens council has green-lighted a new 500-seat arts and entertainment centre. The next step is to identify a location. Port Stephens, on the NSW coastal region with 26 spectacular beaches, is 2.5 hours north of Sydney.
Promiseland Director Declared Bankrupt
Brisbane-based Bernard Benjamin Kumar, sole director of the R&B Promiseland festival, has been declared bankrupt, the Courier Mail reported.
This was due to personal debts owed to the Promiseland companies, estimated by the liquidator at more than $540,000.
A report by liquidator Stephen Earel of Cor Cordis suggested the companies failed because of Kumar and company secretary Emmal Naim’s “possible misappropriation of the business’ profits to fund related entities” and their failure to manage cashflow.
Cor Cordis was brought in last June after wind-up action by electrical contractor Eventelec Events after Promiseland 2024.
The Courier Mail also reported “separate court action saw the same liquidator, Stephen Earel of Cor Cordis, also appointed to company Promiseland 2023 and overarching management company Festco in January and March this year.”
According to reports lodged with corporate regulator ASIC, the Promiseland companies owed more than $8.4 million between them.
Ownership Change At Hobart’s Replay Bar
There’s a change in ownership at Hobart’s Replay Bar. Paul Willson quit his job as a public servant to take over from Andrew Krasnicki with plans to introduce new features.
Krasnicki launched the bar in 2020, eight days before COVID but built up after the pandemic restrictions with live music, arcade games, and competitive pinball tournaments.
Three Aussie Festivals In DJ Mag Top 100
Three Australian festivals made it into DJ Mag’s global Top 100. Beyond The Valley (up by 15 spots to #67) and Pitch Music & Arts (climbed 12 places to #84) are both operated by Untitled Group.
Its co-founder & Managing Partner, Fillipo Palermo, said: “To see Beyond The Valley and Pitch Music & Arts make such massive climbs on the global stage is a testament to the growing impact of not just Untitled Group, but also the wider community involved with BTV and Pitch.”
ULTRA Australia was at #86, after a climb of 2 spots. It was one of eight ULTRA festivals to make it into the Top 100.
Tomorrowland (Belgium) topped the list, followed by EDC Las Vegas at #2, Untold (Romania) at #3, ULTRA Miami at #4, and Defqon.1 (Netherlands) rounding out the Top 5.
Musical Chairs
Matthew Lazarus-Hall is named General Manager of Sydney's Afterpay Arena, which is operated by Legends Global. Lazarus-Hall, who was CEO of Chugg Entertainment for 13 years, joined Legends Global in 2024 and most recently was part of the Executive team that opened Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.
Harvey Lister, President and CEO of Legends Global’s Asia Pacific and Middle East operations, resigned effectively from those roles. He wants to care for his wife who is diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He will serve as senior advisor for the next 12 months to support the transition of the business and focus on various major pipeline projects.
COO Peter Loxton leads the region while Paul Sergeant continues as its Executive VP.
Louise Herron is to step down as Chief Executive of the Sydney Opera House on August 6, after 14 years. Under her, there was a period of major capital investment, expanded programming, and increased community engagement.
Paul McLeay is new Chief Executive of The Night Time Industries Association, replacing Mick Gibb who resigned in June. McLeay was most recently Chief Executive of the Australian Distillers Association and spent 20 years in industry advocacy, state government and commercial leadership.
As Sydney creative agency UNDR Ctrl celebrates its 12th year, it took to social media to announce that Mary Jenkins is now Head of Agency, while Chaquira Cusack is promoted to Agent/Artist Manager, Kyle Trevanion's role is expanded to Venue Booker (of 14 venues) & Artist Manager. Christian Mellick arrives as Office Assistant.
Stadiums Tasmania’s inaugural CEO James Avery, a driving force behind the new Macquarie Point Stadium, has resigned effective October 4 to become Chief Executive of the AFL's Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants.
Promoter, event manager, artist manager and photographer Sara-Jayne Prince is MusicNSW’s new Regional Coordinator for the NSW Mid-North Coast, Upper Hunter and Orana regions. In 2021, Prince founded Archives Mid-North Coast to support artists and boost the local scene post-pandemic.
Village Roadshow Theme Parks, whose entertainment includes live music and bands, has parted ways with Michael Croaker, its Head of Entertainment for more than 20 years.
New appointments to the board of Adelaide Festival are City of Adelaide councillor Carmel Noon, writer and artist Prof. Daniel Browning, and CEO of Mitsubishi Australia Shaun Wescott.
Senator Cool On Tassie 50% Rebate Plan
A Tasmanian Labor senator’s response to Tasmania’s Liberal Government’s proposal for 50% tax rebate for struggling venues has been somewhat cool – much to the disappointment of the national live sector.
Commenting on a letter that Tasmanian Deputy Premier Bridget Archer wrote to the Australian Government outlining the plan to receive Federal funding, Tasmanian Labor Senator Richard Dowling scoffed, “The Tasmanian Government should stop wasting ink and invest in our arts like we have been doing.
“We’ve been acting as a government to support Tasmania’s world class arts sector, instead of writing more letters. Our Government knows how important live music is, that’s why we’ve already delivered around $1m to support live music businesses across Tasmania.”
He added: “We want our Australian music to be the soundtrack to life in Australia. That’s why we’re also investing an additional $25m over the next two years to support even more Australian live music venues, through our Revive Live program.”
Cumberland City Council Funding To Set Up All Ages Shows
Cumberland City Council (NSW) will amp up its all-ages shows after receiving $100,000 from the NSW Government via Sound NSW’s Local Audience Development Grants.
Mayor Ola Hamed said the funding provides fresh opportunities to support contemporary music locally. “This funding will help provide these opportunities, paving the way for a new generation of talented musicians.
“With limited formal music networks or established venues for original contemporary music in our area, Council plays a vital leadership role in supporting artists and strengthening the local music ecosystem.”
Cumberland is a highly diverse region. Its 240,000 residents represent 150 plus cultural backgrounds. Young people aged 12–24 make up one in five residents, making access to contemporary culture a key priority for Council.
City Of Stirling Brings Back JazzConnect
City Of Stirling (WA) is bringing back the JazzConnect festival to Scarborough Beach from August 28 to 30 with a larger program. Last year it drew its highest attendance, of 2,700.
Produced by ArtConnect Initiative in partnership with Perth Jazz Society, the festival encourages audiences to discover live music across eleven cafés, bars, beachfront venues, and the foreshore through 20 free and ticketed events.
From morning coffee sessions and long lunches to sunset samba, soul, swing and late-night sets, see the full program on the festival’s website.
SA Venue Goes Into Liquidation
After running The Cape Jervis Tavern in SA’s Fleurieu Peninsula since 2013, a broken hearted Phill Dodd revealed that “We have had to close our doors and place the business into liquidation.”
Dodd added: “This pub has never just been a job to me. It has been an all-consuming lifestyle, a home away from home, and a huge part of my life and my family’s life. I met Maria through this tavern, and we brought our kids up around this place.”
The rising cost of living and continued effects of COVID were the problems, along with the ban of snapper fishing in Gulf St Vincent, the removal of the Cape Jervis jetty and the algal bloom.
Queens Garden To Host New Wintergarden Festival Of Music
Queens Garden has been chosen by Townsville City Council to host the inaugural Wintergarden Festival of Music August 8 and 9.
It is named after Wintergarden Theatre, which stood on Sturt Street and a popular entertainment venue from the 1920s through to the ‘70s. It was ultimately demolished in 1991.
Mayor Nick Dametto hopes the new festival becomes a community gathering the way the Australian Festival of Chamber Music before it relocated to Cairns.
A Few Things From Overseas
ULTRA’s first move into New Zealand in April drew a capacity crowd of 25,000 to the Wellington waterfront, according to an event economics report by Fresh Info Ltd, and injected NZ$5.4 million into the local economy.
The promoter was Audiology, and NZ acts as Broderbeats, In:Motion, Joey Illah, Lenni Vibe, Paige Julia, Pixie Lane, Repair, and Twofold shared the stages alongside international hotshots The Chainsmokers, DJ Snake, Zedd, Oliver Heldens, and Alison Wonderland.
Guinness World Records marked Harry Styles’ “extraordinary” 12-night run at London’s Wembley Stadium in June/July for longest residency by a musician at the stadium during a single run. The previous record was 10 shows by Coldplay on their Music Of The Spheres World Tour in 2025.
K-Pop band BTS’ ARIRANG world tour looks like generating US$748 million, making them the first K-Pop and Asian act to pull $700 million from a single tour. The previous record was held by BLACKPINK’s Born Pink global run which turned over $331.81 million.
The weekend’s fire at Bangkok’s Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub, which killed 30 and injured 75, was most probably sparked by an electrical short circuit in a ceiling air conditioner, authorities said.
The fire brigade arrived in minutes, but deadly factors were highly combustible materials used as stage props which gave better acoustics. The extreme heat, smoke and deadly toxins created choked people trapped inside.
English punk-rappers Bob Vylan are suing the BBC over their Glastonbury festival appearance. The duo lead the crowds in chants of “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces].”
The BBC, falling in a heap, apologised to livestreaming viewers calling their behaviour “offensive and deplorable.” The duo accused the BBC of “placing labels upon us that did not, do not and never will fit”.
A new study from OneMusic New Zealand found that music played in venues and businesses is so important, that 40% of Kiwis will actually walk out if they think the music sucks. 18% stop going altogether if the acoustics are poor.
But on the other hand, 48% have stayed longer in a store or venue because the music felt right, and 40% state a well-matched soundtrack directly influenced how much money they spent.
Festivals Bolster The Fortunes Of Venues
Two Sydney festivals are set to bolster the fortunes of venues.
Sydney Fringe taps 64 venues to host 350 events and 2,000 artists from August to October. These include a singalong piano bar turned into a cabaret lounge each night, while Erskineville Town Hall varies from Greek identity and gender to clown performance, and experimental music at UNSW’s School of Arts & Media.
Meantime, July 12’s King Street Crawl in Newtown featured 45 venues hosting 250 artists.
Stirling Club Launches Book On WA’s Great Southern Music
The Stirling Club in Albany (WA) is serving as the launch pad on August 1 from 5pm for the 800-page book A Who's Who Guide Of Bands In Albany And The Great Southern 1965—2025.
Author Kevin Gomm spent 3.5 years researching, conducting 160 interviews, and documented 560 acts. There are 400 photos, most from private collections and which have never been seen by the public. It is through Paperbark Merchants in York St Albany, retailing at $69.99 each.
Gomm is joined on launch night by musicians, who’ll no doubt remember that in Albany’s golden years in the ‘80s and ‘90s, there’d be up to 11 music venues blasting out live music on any weekend night. The cost of entry to the launch is $5 (cash only) and some bands will play on the night.
New Owner For Exchange Site
Sydney businessman Tom Wallace, a recent arrival in the pub owner stakes, is eyeing the Oxford Street Darlinghurst site of the legendary Exchange nightclub. But his plan is to turn it into an upmarket dining and drinks destination. He is offering $11 million for the building which has been empty the last few years.
Wave Rock Waving Goodbye
The WA Wheatbelt region’s Wave Rock Weekender announced that its 2026 episode (September 25 to 28) will be the last, after 21 years. There are no problems, organisers said. They just wanted to “go out on a high.”
Buchanan Park Hosts First NAIDOC Rodeo & Music Festival
Over 2,000 assembled at Buchanan Park in Mt Isa for the first NAIDOC 4B Rodeo & Music Festival.
First Nations riders from across Queensland came to compete. At night, music came from Coloured Stone, Normey Jay, Lil Mase, and singer-songwriter Tess Fapani as well Big Eye Theatre Dancers, Murri Island Dancers, and Mornington Island Dancers.
Organiser Tara Bell said it was more than just rodeo action and live music. Dance, storytelling and community celebration “created an exciting First Nations day, looking at where we were, where we are, and where we’re going. It was groundbreaking on every level.”
Piano Bar Owner Gets Into Politics
Andy Pobjoy, owner of Geelong’s Piano Bar, has been confirmed as a Liberal candidate for Geelong in the upcoming Victorian elections.
Piano Bar owner Andy Pobjoy has been confirmed as Liberal candidate for Geelong in the 2026 Victorian state election. The bar closed last weekend with Pobjoy opting for a pop up model after eleven years.
Meltdowns!
A 34-year-old man was sentenced to 18 months’ jail and a two-year community corrections order after he was found guilty of his role in firebombing the $2 million floating nightclub ATET in January 2023.
Jemli Williams Mariner was offered a lighter sentence if he explained why he did it, but chose not to. The nightclub had created backlash from residents in Victoria Harbour.
Here’s one way to create a buzz at a festival. Over 1,000 bees descended on Guilfest, an English festival in Stoke Park, Guildford. Promoters had to rush in nearby beekeepers to move them to another field.
Members of Sydney community group Revolutionary Organisation of Students and Youth (ROSY) – “We are building a solid revolutionary movement of workers, students and unemployed youth. building a new social order in society” – held a rally this week and a march to Hurley Park council buildings to protest the demolition of the Hurley Park Community Hall.
The group has been holding cheap alcohol-free punk gigs, and creating a community there. But council told the Sydney Morning Herald it already had plans to demolish the building before ROSY started hiring it for shows.
Anonymous flyers have been circulating Balmain, in Sydney, criticising Dry Dock Hotel’s noise from its beer garden, reported PubTIC.
The heritage listed venue, which opened in 1867, went through extensive restoration (including soundproofing) before reopening in late 2023 under Peninsula Hospitality Group. The flyers have sparked debate among other residents, who argue that pubs have always played a role in the suburb.
Professional dancer David Denis who performed in The Lion King in London, fled from cops into a crocodile-infected river after they detained him at Rockhampton’s Flamingos nightclub on May 24.
They suspected Denis had drugs and stopped to search him t 1.45 am. Police told the Rockhampton Magistrates Court he escaped and tried to hide underwater in the Fitzroy River. The 40-year old copped a three month good behaviour bond.
In Cooktown, Queensland, punk band Boing Boing have “rewarded” a local woman two free tickets to their show. She’d mistakenly thought their promo sign posted near a school was “offensive” and rebuked them on social media. Result: their show sold out as a result.
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
